Post head tilt rabbit

Hi everyone,

I'm really hoping somebody can give me some advice, I'm getting desperate! I've had my Neverland Dwarf for 5 years. He wasn't well when he was tiny and last year he got head tilt. I noticed it pretty much straight away and got him on medication so he lived through it. Since the head tilt he's had some ongoing side effects. He's a little wobbly on his back left foot and doesn't like to hop over things if he can help it. The worst thing is that he absolutely stinks! I think he might be incontinent because he used to use a litter tray and now goes anywhere and everywhere. Has anybody else had this problem following head tilt? I have used newspaper and litter but nothing keeps the stench away and I have to clean him out twice a day and even then it's awful! I use bed pads now and change them as often as I can. He's happy in himself and hops up to me for a stroke and does a wobbly binky every now and again.

The only reason I haven't taken him to the vets yet is because it's quite traumatic for him to be lifted anywhere now and he gets dizzy and wobbly again. Feel like I'm nursing an old man and don't want to make it worse for him.

Anybody had anything similar happen to their rabbit? Any suggestions about the smell?

Emxxx

What was he treated with for the head tilt?

Those symptoms scream EC to me

Sorry, should have been more specific. He was diagnosed with EC and was treated with Panacur and Baytril. I took him to the vets initially to have him put down because he was so poorly and they said just give him a chance on the medication. He made a really quick recovery but its just the peeing he's left with and being a bit wobbly. I would take him back to the vets but he just seems happy in himself and doesn't seem ill.

What do you think?

Emxxx

How long was the course of panacur? Was he given metacam too? Did you steralise his home on the right days? It sounds like his kidneys may be affected by the E.C and it doesn't sound like the E.C has been completely eradicated.
Do you have a rabbit specialist in the area? I would take him to that, if you don't know about this, post up for rabbit savvy vet where you live in Rabbit Chat. It does sound like the vet you have seen was quite good. Has he been back since having the treatment?

EDIT: Sorry, just noticed that you haven't. He really does need to be seen by a vet. Being incontinent and having back leg weakness is not good. He needs further treatment.

Ok thanks will do,

Emxxx

Let us know how you get on. xx

Lots of vibes for your bunny. X

How long was the course of Panacur he had? He needed a full course of 28 days.

I agree that he needs further treatment :wave:

It wasn't 28 days, I think it was 18 days. I'll get him back to the vets, really I was just giving him paliative care and making sure he was comfortable but the weeing has got a lot worse recently and although he's not getting worse, he's not getting fully better either.

Thanks for the advice,

Emxxx

empa13 said:

It wasn't 28 days, I think it was 18 days. I'll get him back to the vets, really I was just giving him paliative care and making sure he was comfortable but the weeing has got a lot worse recently and although he's not getting worse, he's not getting fully better either.

Thanks for the advice,

Emxxx

Click to expand...

Perhaps finding a more rabbit savvy vet is in order. It may be that his kidneys have been damaged by the E.C, hence the incontinence. I had a rabbit in a rescue have this problem because she didn't get the proper course of panacur. If he seems happy within himself, I would hope that he will be ok, but bear in mind that you really need to make sure he gets the proper dose and a full steralisation of his home on certain days of his treatment to avoid re-contamination.

It certainly wouldn't hurt to have a longer course of pancur

The other thing to consider is it could be completely unrelated, for example a urine infection can effect their toilet habits. The vet might want to check a sample.

You might a couple of rolled towels in his carrier to act as props might help him feel a little more secure. If you've got one they type that side open might be easier for him too

On the smell.... is it him or his accommodation? If he's wobbly then it might also be effecting his ability to balance to clean himself properly. Have you looked at his underside, is that clean/dry?

Just been to the vets with him. He said the EC was a year ago and it's obviously not got worse recently so it's stablised. The damage has been done and he wont get any better but he also shouldn't get any worse as he's been the same for a while. He doesn't need Panacur because he's not been in contact with any other rabbits recently and he's a very healthy rabbit other than the damage from the EC. He said that even though I'm cleaning his house out twice a day it's obviously worth it because he has no scalding or soreness. He's going to look into using Propalin to help with the peeing but other than that keep doing what I'm doing. He's bright and alert even though he's a bit wobbly.

I'll use the rolled up towels though good idea!

Thanks for all of your help, much appreciated!

Emxxx

I think I would seek a second opinion to be honest.

Your vet could be right, but I'm very surprised he hasn't decided on another course of Panacur (particularly as the first lot was not for 28 days) and a course of antibiotics incase of an infection :?

Well done on keeping your bun in such good condition through his incontinence :thumb:

I agree with seeking a second opinion. Might be worth posting a new thread asking for people with experience with E.C to give their opinions. I am also surprised that the vet didn't even suggest antibiotics just to cover infection. :?

Sorry I was mistaken about how long he was on it. It was for 28 days. He checked the records for me so he said the EC would have been killed off with that. I thought he was probably right to be honest because if it was still about then surely he'd be getting worse? Its been a year and a bit since i first took him. What do you think?

Emxxx

empa13 said:

Sorry I was mistaken about how long he was on it. It was for 28 days. He checked the records for me so he said the EC would have been killed off with that. I thought he was probably right to be honest because if it was still about then surely he'd be getting worse? Its been a year and a bit since i first took him. What do you think?

Emxxx

Click to expand...

Oh ok.

Did he mention a possible bladder/urinary tract infection?

I'm not experienced in EC atall so am unsure whether it can cause permenant incontinence, but in fairness I would guess it could well do.

It's a tough call but if you do have any doubts it might be worth getting a second opinion anyway for peace of mind :wave:

Good point about the infection. The vet linked it to the EC straight away and it did begin straight after he was ill but I will mention it when he rings about the Propalin medication.

Thanks again,

Emxxx